By GAGE WILSON
For Glasgow News 1
Just ahead of spring break, Caverna’s Board of Education met Thursday evening amid a flood of community interest.
A majority of the nearly hour-long meeting was dedicated to recognizing students and staff, with special attention given to the district’s tennis team and colorguard. Jalen Woodard, colorguard coach, highlighted his squad’s latest achievements. “This year, we set the bar really high,” he said. “We came home as the Kentucky State Champions in the novice class.”
Danielle Carver, coach of the newly formed tennis team, also recognized one of her players, Amaya Handley, for winning her first match. “I’m just so proud of her and the whole team and all that they’ve accomplished,” she said.
After awards and recognitions concluded, the board turned to its agenda, but not before Superintendent Amanda Abell amended a previous statement. “At our last board meeting, I incorrectly stated that our tennis courts would be the last athletic facility needing major improvements,” she said. “After reviewing our needs assessment this week, I realized that was incorrect. The assessment also identified that the track around our football field is in need of major repair.”
The board heard from Craig Thomas, president of RBS Design Group, who is working with the district on constructing outdoor restrooms and a concession building by the softball field. Thomas has also overseen the district’s culinary remodeling project, which began last year.
Before Thomas spoke, Abell explained that the next agenda items focused on “closing out the culinary project and moving forward with the outdoor restrooms.” She noted that board members had received the revised BG1 form, which outlines the project’s scope and funding, signaling an update to the original plan. Along with that, they received BG4 forms for each contractor involved. She added that by the next meeting, BG5 forms should be completed, effectively wrapping up the culinary project’s bureaucratic elements.
Colorguard participants are honored after winning state recognition. The guard will advance in class for the 2026 season due to its success this year. Gage Wilson/For Glasgow News 1
With that, Thomas addressed the board regarding bid bonds, which caused irregularities in the original bid process. “When we’re bidding a project over $100,000, the bidder is required to provide a bid bond or a cashier’s check for five percent of their bid,” he explained. “When NuWay submitted their bid, they failed to provide either. However, after we opened the bid, they rectified that.”
He clarified that bid bonds serve a single purpose; ensuring the district is protected if a bidder fails to honor their bid. “It’s really no harm, no foul,” he added.
Board member Wayne Hatcher asked for more information about NuWay Portable Buildings. Thomas admitted he was not deeply familiar with the company but had observed their work. “I almost bought one of their buildings — unfortunately, I didn’t have a site to put it on,” he said. “I went and saw the building that they had at Barren County School’s for their Ag. Department…I have spoken to the gentleman that owns NuWay and he seems very capable and they seem very professional.”
Abell added that NuWay plans to build the structure on-site. “I know they specialize in portable buildings, but because of the size of this one, they are planning to build on-site,” she said.
Thomas confirmed this, explaining that the company typically works with smaller dimensions than what this project requires. “The building we’re constructing for you is between 20 and 24 feet wide,” he said. “So, it isn’t eligible to be built off-site and transported here.”
While no completion date was provided, Thomas expressed confidence that an update would be available soon.
The board unanimously approved all items related to the remodeling and new construction projects.
